Let’s appoint a Minister for Older Australians

National Seniors Australia is supporting a call by Federal Member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie, for the government to establish a new portfolio and Minister for Older Australians. 

The Private Member’s Motion follows a meeting last year with the Prime Minster, Anthony Albanese, during which Ms Sharkie, together with Member for Kennedy, The Hon. Bob Katter, and NSA Chair, discussed the needs and value of older Australians being managed by a dedicated minister.  

“The number of people aged 65+ is expected to grow by 2.35 million by 2041, and those aged 85+ expected to grow by almost 750,000 over the same time. We need to plan for this impact and opportunity now,” NSA chief executive officer, Chris Grice, said.  

“Aged care is just one of the many issues facing older Australians. Many also experience ageism, barriers to mature age employment, elder abuse, poverty, and homelessness. 

“There is also a misconception older Australians are living well off high inflation. However, pressures from rising private health insurance costs, and out-of-pocket expenses, rising living costs including rent, fuel, and grocery increases erode most of these gains. 

“Representation is about creating a voice for their concerns and needs to be heard. 

“Importantly, as Ms Sharkie has expressed, it’s an opportunity to change the narrative around older Australians – to view them as the builders they have the potential to be, rather than the burden they are too often portrayed.” 

In Parliament on Monday, 1 July, Ms Sharkie, who is a co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Seniors, called on the House of Representatives to establish as portfolio and Minister for Older Australians to: 

• Demonstrate the government’s commitment to older people during a time of demographic change in which Australians are expected to live longer lives, but with increased reliance on key services such as health and aged care 
• Act as a conduit between government and the community to better engage with older people on matters which concern them, beyond aged care, and enable a whole of government approach to policy making for and with older Australians across multiple sectors and government agencies 
• Ensure government services are accessible and inclusive for all including those who may not have ease of digital access or may be experiencing hearing or vision loss 
• Champion our older Australians and shift the narrative of older people as vulnerable and in need of support (a “burden”) to more positive aspects of ageing and the contribution older people make to the economy and society 
• Work with older people and the sector to address key issues including age discrimination, elder abuse, social exclusion and isolation, homelessness, access to and cost of health care, and financial stress 
• Reframe the current narrative to recognise that older people helped to build our nation and continue to represent some of our greatest assets, rather than promoting intergenerational competition or conflict.